As a public service, the BenitoLink team provides a frequent roundup of recent COVID-19 related data, resources and articles about San Benito County.
As of 3:00 p.m. on Feb 12, 5,541 people in San Benito County have tested positive for the coronavirus since the first confirmed case in February 2020.One hundred forty-five are active patients, 5,339 have recovered and 57 have died, with the latest deaths reported Feb. 9. The county’s current positivity rate is 9%. For the most updated information, visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard.
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital currently has no ICU beds available. Monterey County hospitals have a combined number of 15 ICU beds open and Santa Clara County hospitals have 48 with three of those beds in St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy. For more information visit COVID-19 Hospitals Dashboard.
As of 6:33 p.m. on Feb. 8, San Benito County has received 3,825 first dose vaccines and 1,750 second dose. It has administered 3,268 first doses, 675 second doses and is currently in 1B, tier 1. Prioritization: 75 years and older.
This week’s vaccine allotment: 600 first doses and 485 second doses. Click here to view a description of each phase and tier.
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Recent Article
San Benito County advancing within current vaccination tier
Phase 1B Tier 1 includes the education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture sectors.
State sets new COVID-19 vaccination priorities for high-risk residents
Healthcare providers may use their clinical judgement to vaccinate individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
Vaccinations
Residents of San Benito County identified in Phase 1B Tier 1 and 2 of the state’s vaccination plan can complete an interest form at the SBC Vaccination Interest Portal, which will provide Public Health Services the ability to notify those interested about where they may obtain a vaccination as the phase and tiers progress.
It is not a vaccination appointment system; it is a tool to eventually schedule a vaccination appointment.
The Vaccination Interest Portal can be found here:Â https://hhsa.cosb.us/covid-19-vaccine-info/
County distribution changes starting Monday, Feb 15 to include:
- Individuals 65 and older
- Those at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors:
- Education and childcare
- Emergency services
- Food and agriculture
See article above for more information.
Starting March 15, 2021 the State is opening vaccinations for the following individuals with the following high-risk morbidity and mortality conditions.
- Cancer, current with debilitated or immunocompromised state
- Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
- Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
- Down syndrome
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (excludes hypertension)
- Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
OR
If as a result of a developmental or other severe high-risk disability one or more of the following applies:
- The individual is likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or death from COVID-19 infection
- Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival
- Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability
See article above for more information.
Schools
On Feb. 12,  Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the launching of the Safe Schools for All Plan’s interactive Safe Schools Reopening Map, This is an online tool providing a statewide snapshot of the status of school reopenings across the state. The map is intended to help communities make data-driven decisions to safely open classrooms and to ensure transparency.
Resources
The state has several hotlines for residents to call for suicide prevention, abuse, and mental health:
24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or text 838255
24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or click Chat Now
Call 911 if you or the person you are helping is in immediate danger.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, helps protect workers from health and safety hazards in almost every workplace in California.
Visit Cal/OSHAÂ for information about workplace safety and health.
File a confidential workplace safety complaint.
File a whistleblower complaint if you suffer retaliation for reporting a workplace safety hazard
Obtain free consultation services from Cal/OSHA.
Contact Cal/OSHA at 844-522-6734.
State and federal elected officials’ COVID-19 web pages.
State of California:Â https://covid19.ca.gov/Â Â Â https://covid19.ca.gov/es/
San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency/Coronavirus
Food Distribution Community Food Bank www.communityfoodbankofsbc.org
Drive-thru service at the marketplace Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1133 San Felipe Rd. in Hollister. Sign-ups for supplemental food are done by phone 831-637-0340.
Food Distribution Salvation Army hollister.salvationarmy.org Drive-thru service Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. 910 Buena Vista Rd. Hollister Sign-ups not required To schedule delivery call 310-753-6520.
Public Assistance CalFresh/Medi-Cal/Cash Aid/GA hhsa.cosb.us apply online at www.c4yourself.com 831-636-4180.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Employment Development Department apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/ui_online 831-638-3306.
Senior Services Delivery of essential items and food City of Hollister and Jovenes de Antano recreation@hollister.ca.gov 831-636-4390.
Disability/Paid Family Leave Employment Development Department apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/sdi_online 831-638-3306.
United Way of San Benito County 2-1-1 Text your Zip Code to 831-898-211 or call 211 Text COVID2019 to 211211.
Tips for avoiding COVID-19 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Keep a minimum of a six feet physical distance from others.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Stay at home. Only leave to take care of essential errands.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Cover your face (mouth and nose) with protective covering when in public
- Disinfect frequently touched objects.
- If you think you might be infected call your health care professional and follow their directions.
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